People love to talk about the voice. They talk about the nose, the Oscars, and that legendary Brooklyn moxie. But for decades, the tabloids were obsessed with something else: Barbra Streisand husbands and lovers. It’s a list that reads like a "Who's Who" of the 20th century. We’re talking movie stars, ice cream heirs, and even a Prime Minister. Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
Most people think of Barbra as this untouchable, perfectionist diva. But if you look at her romantic history, you see a woman who was just trying to find someone who wasn't intimidated by her. That’s harder than it looks when you’re literally the biggest star on the planet.
The First Marriage: Elliott Gould and the Price of Fame
In 1961, a nineteen-year-old Barbra walked into an audition for I Can Get It for You Wholesale. She met Elliott Gould. He was the leading man; she was the girl who "made a face." They married in 1963. It was young love, messy and passionate.
They had a son, Jason Gould, in 1966. But as Barbra’s career went supernova, the marriage started to crack. Elliott later admitted it was hard being married to "success." It’s a classic Hollywood story, right? The woman gets too big, and the man feels small. They split in 1969 and finalized the divorce in 1971. They’re still friends, though. She even called him while writing her memoir, My Name Is Barbra, to ask why they drifted apart.
The Hairdresser Who Became a Mogul: Jon Peters
If you’ve seen the 2018 version of A Star Is Born, you should know that the 1976 version happened because of Jon Peters. He was her hairdresser. Seriously.
They met in 1973 when he worked on her film For Pete's Sake. It was a wild, twelve-year relationship. He wasn't just a lover; he became her manager and producer. People in Hollywood hated him. They thought he was an interloper. But Jon recently called her the "love of his life." It was a chaotic era, filled with rumors of flings with co-stars like Kris Kristofferson and Omar Sharif, though those were never officially "husband" material.
A Prime Minister and a Tennis Star: The Surprise Lovers
Did you know Barbra dated Pierre Trudeau? The 15th Prime Minister of Canada. Yeah, Justin Trudeau’s dad.
It happened right around 1969-1970. She nearly became a "First Lady" of sorts. Then there was the 1990s era, which gave us the most "90s" pairing ever: Barbra and Andre Agassi.
- The Age Gap: She was 28 years older than him.
- The Vibe: Agassi famously wrote in his memoir that dating her was "like wearing Hot Lava."
- The Outcome: It didn't last, but it definitely kept the gossip columns busy.
The Bachelor List: Neeson, Don Johnson, and More
Between the big relationships, Barbra had what you might call a "high-profile dating phase."
- Don Johnson: They recorded a hit duet, "Till I Loved You."
- Liam Neeson: They lived together for about nine months.
- Richard Baskin: The Baskin-Robbins heir. She lived with him for four years in the 80s.
- Peter Jennings: The ABC news anchor.
It felt like she was searching for a specific kind of intellectual and emotional match. Someone who could handle the spotlight without trying to steal it.
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Finally Finding the One: James Brolin
Then came 1996. A blind date.
Barbra expected a "mountain man" with a beard and long hair. Instead, James Brolin showed up clean-shaven. Her first words to him? "Who f---ed up your hair?"
Most guys would have walked out. James fell in love right then and there. He loved that she told the truth. They married on July 1, 1998, in her Malibu backyard. It was the second anniversary of their first date. Guests included Tom Hanks and John Travolta.
They’ve been married for over 27 years now. In a town where marriages last about as long as a fruit fly’s lifespan, that’s an eternity. James says the secret is being a "good negotiator" and having "patience." Barbra says it's about "listening."
What We Can Learn From Barbra’s Journey
Looking at the history of Barbra Streisand husbands and lovers, a few things become clear. She never settled. She didn't let the public's opinion of her "diva" status stop her from seeking connection.
If you're looking for your own "James Brolin" moment later in life, take a page out of Barbra's book:
- Don't hide your personality. If you're blunt, be blunt. The right person will find it charming, not offensive.
- Success shouldn't be a dealbreaker. If someone is intimidated by your career or your light, they aren't the one.
- It’s never too late. Barbra was 54 when she met James.
The most important takeaway? Your past "failed" relationships aren't failures—they're just the opening acts for the main event. Barbra had to go through the hairdressers and the Prime Ministers to find the guy who liked what she said "between the songs."
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To really understand how Barbra balances her private life with her public persona, you should check out her 2023 memoir. It’s a massive book, but it gives the most honest look at these men from her own perspective. Reading it feels like sitting down for tea with a legend who is finally ready to tell the truth.